A 40-year-old Centralia man, Terry Joe Ayres Jr., has been formally charged with first-degree rape of a child following a months-long investigation into allegations of ongoing sexual abuse. Ayres was arrested on the evening of Friday, May 2, 2025, and remains held in the Lewis County Jail on $1 million bail and a 72-hour investigative hold.
The charge against Ayres — first-degree rape of a child — is a Class A felony under Washington state law, carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison. The severity of the charge reflects the disturbing nature of the allegations, which involve the repeated sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 over a three-year period.
According to court documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court, the case originated from a report made to Child Protective Services (CPS) in December 2024. On December 16, CPS alerted the Centralia Police Department after a minor reported being sexually assaulted by Ayres. The child, a Centralia resident, disclosed that the abuse had been ongoing since approximately 2021.
Investigators from the Centralia Police Department launched a comprehensive investigation following the referral. According to the declaration of probable cause filed Monday, evidence gathered during the inquiry supported the child’s claims and ultimately led to Ayres’ arrest last week. Police and prosecutors have not disclosed additional details about the case in order to protect the identity and well-being of the victim.
Ayres was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Lewis County Jail shortly after 6:44 p.m. on May 2. Prosecutors filed the formal charge on Wednesday, May 7, after reviewing the initial findings of the investigation.
Due to the serious nature of the allegations and the potential risk to the community, prosecutors requested high bail and the 72-hour hold to allow investigators time to continue gathering evidence and to consider whether additional charges may be warranted.
First-degree rape of a child applies when an adult engages in sexual intercourse with a child younger than 12 years old, provided the perpetrator is at least 24 months older. It is one of the most serious charges in Washington’s criminal code.
Ayres is expected to make his next court appearance in the coming days, where a judge may review the conditions of his bail and hear arguments regarding the ongoing investigation.
Authorities encourage anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the Centralia Police Department. The investigation remains active.